Feel Done with 2016? This one’s for you…

Experiencing Grief? Not looking forward to Christmas?  This one’s for you…

Luke 7:11-17 Jesus Raises the Widow’s Son at Nain

11 Soon afterwards* he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. 12As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. 13When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ 14Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, ‘Young man, I say to you, rise!’ 15The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus* gave him to his mother. 16Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, ‘A great prophet has risen among us!’ and ‘God has looked favourably on his people!’ 17This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.

Nothing to offer but God’s Promise through God’s Word

Heard people say, “I am done with 2016. 2016 was not my year.”

Here b/c of grief of some kind -> grief often gives feeling of separating/isolating us from others

Nain: Labrador? furthest north? Nain, Israel -> town out of the way

• If you’re feeling out of the way, separated, isolated, you’re in good company

Here’s what happened…

vs. 11 “.. he went to a town called Nain…” Jesus. Showed. Up.

• Finds widow burying her only son – knows grief
• Jesus saw her, had compassion for her
• In case you weren’t sure: JESUS SEES YOU, HE HAS COMPASSION FOR YOU

o in the quiet moments, the anger, the pain, isolation, anguish, ambushed, etc.

You may say, “How? When will I know??”

Here’s what happens next…

vs. 14 He came forward, touched the casket, said, “Young man, I say to you ‘Rise!'”

Up. He. Gets.

vs. 16 They rejoiced. “God has looked favourably on his people”

Note: After this, this family would still have experienced grief/the separation/isolation/torn apart..

To those of us who say, “2016 wasn’t my year, I feel isolated, separated, pushed aside, emptied of hope, etc.”

Jesus comes to you. He sees you. He has compassion for you.

He is ready to touch your situation and say, “Rise!”

• We will let him worry about the details..